Underneath the Arches

From Litchfield it was a couple of hours down the track to Douglas Daly Conservation Park - with a thermal pool, an interesting swimming hole near the arches, more warm days and less people...another relaxing couple of days!

Lazing at Litchfield

How things change! Fifteen years ago we camped at Litchfield National Park. I don't remember sealed roads, clearly defined camping areas, and fenced off areas at the camp sites and tourist spots. I don't remember so many people either. No matter where we went they were there...and lots of them!



Buley Rock Hole was crowded. Hard to find a place to park, let alone relax in the water.
Florence Falls and Wangi Falls were like town swimming pools on a hot day. Bus groups came and went, day visitors checked out the environs and campers lazed around the water.

It is not hard to understand why its popular. All the sites are easy to access, it is a short drive from Darwin, and there are no estuarine crocs (a.k.a. 'salties') in the waterways during the dry.


Add good swimming holes and warm/hot days are where else would you rather be?

Sydney Harbour x10!

It's man made, about 40 years old, and massive.

Lake Argyle is the key to the Ord river irrigation area and is huge. Without going on a $100 boat ride you only see a little of this lake, but for us that was enough.

Built in the 60's this lake/dam (or is it dam lake? Sounds better when you say it) is a remarkable work of engineering.

We spent our days looking and lazing, and celebrated Beth's birthday in a style to which we have become accustomed - cheaply!

Capital of the North - Darwin

It was good to renew some friendships and watch some sunsets up her in the Top End. The pace is comfortable and I heard the NT slogan (the unofficial one anyway) - Not Today, Not Tomorrow, Next Tuesday or Next Thursday, maybe!

A visit to Mindil Markets, a day at the Territory Wildlife Park, a trip on the Adelaide River Queen on the original 'Jumping Crocs' cruise were our tourist 'bits' for the week - and a couple of rounds of golf (Palmerston and Darwin) made for an enjoyable stay.

Added to the value of being in Darwin were the number of folks from times past we met when we went to church - from Devonport (Tas.), South Australia, and from Geelong. It is that time of year when people head for warmer climes if they can. With temperatures at a pleasant 30 degrees it is to be preferred over 14 in Melbourne.

The one enduring problem of Darwin is swimming. There's lots of water around where you can swim... but is it a good idea to swim?


Our Jumping Crocs guide outlined the dietary habits and behaviours of estuarine crocodiles, and offered some advice about places to swim in the Top End. If it has tiles and a filter it is probably safe, but check the bottom before you dive in!


Still, if you are Port Power crocs are not a problem - Crows are! What a great win in the Showdown. Pity we couldn't get that last goal against the Cats though. Next time.....

Leilyn

On the way from Katherine to Darwin are two impressive and varied stops.

Edith Falls (Leilyn) was the site for a swimming day. Walk to the upper falls, swim, walk to the plunge pool, swim, lunch, snooze, then swim again. It was a tough day in a delightful spot. Sunset saw some wonderful colours emerge on the cliffs above the plunge pool. This is one place that is worth going back for another visit, and is a great place to relax for a few days.


Next stop was Douglas Hot Springs. No taps needed here either. Just get yourself in a spot where the hot and cold water came together and you were set. A change in the current meant that it was either too hot for a few moments, or too cold, but just wait and it would be OK again. Apparently the source of the spring is so hot that you can cook stuff in the water.

We saw where it came from, and at this time of year it wasn't that hot, but was TOO hot to think about doing more than testing it out with your finger.

It's show time!

Booking ahead was wise as we hit Katherine just in time for the annual show. The thermal spring was nice, the golf passable and the gorge impressive but going to the show was an eye opener! Twenty bucks for a thrill ride, seven for the dodgem cars, show bags at twenty-five bucks.....ouch, ouch, and more ouch! None of our money went their way!

Why go to the show? Why not!

We watched the camp draft, as stockmen/women cut a beast out of the mob and had to guide it in a figure eight around poles, then through a gate. All the skill in the world, and the best of horsey skills don't helo much if the beast doesn't want to cooperate. It was great to watch these folks in action - and to see Lynda Clarice at work!



Show jumping, barrel racing (motor bikes v. horses), fireworks and the rodeo (at least the bull riding) made for good value visit.

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Heart of the 'Never Never'

Famed for its hot springs Mataranka was also the home of Jeannie Gunn, author of "We of the Never Never". The popularity of the novel and its depiction of life in the outback early last century makes this town the heart of the Never Never.

Elsey Homestead (replica) and Elsey Cemetery are interesting places to visit (might be helpful to read the book or view the film again), and the Australian Bicentennial Funds financed the development of a small park. While the paint has faded over the last nine years, and some of the statues are suffering from age and violent encounters with humans, the park is an interesting connection with events of the past.

[Please note that the one suffering the ravages of age is on the left!]

The hot springs - Rainbow Springs and Bitter Springs - remain the foremost attraction. With small children Rainbow Springs is the safest choice, but for me Bitter Springs was a delightful and refreshing place.

We stayed at Territory Manor Caravan Park where they fed half a dozen barramundi twice each day. At 9.30 am it was a bit cold in the water, but the fish still rose to the bait. We were nearly quick enough to get it on camera!